South Harz Potash Ltd has extracted a 5-tonne bulk sample from an area adjoining its Ohmgebirge potash development in Thuringia, Germany, that is expected to provide valuable data for process design test work and project de-risking.
The sample was taken from the historic Bernterode area that produced muriate of potash (MOP) from historical mining of the Hartsalz potash seam, which is contiguous with the Ohmgebirge deposit.
Sent for testing
Test-work on the sample is set to be carried out by industry leader K-UTEC, at its local Sondershausen laboratory in the South Harz mining district, and to report back by end of July.
These tests are planned to include grind size optimisation for leach recovery and backfill material design and engineering.
The bulk sample demonstrates the potential effective ‘brownfield’ status of Ohmgebirge development given its proximity to the neighbouring shaft and underground infrastructure.
De-risking Ohmgebirge
South Harz managing director and CEO Luis da Silva said: “This access, and bulk sampling capability, delivers multiple routes to significantly de-risk the Ohmgebirge development in a way that is simply not achievable for the typical greenfield mining project.
"In short, it is delivering substantial benefits for South Harz right now, and into the future."
Near tenement boundary
The bulk sample was extracted at about 790-800 metres depth via access through the Bernterode shaft with the extraction area being around 700 metres from the Ohmgebirge tenement boundary.
SHP said that the ability to obtain such a valuable, large-scale mineralisation sample was a direct function of the neighbouring Bernterode shaft underground infrastructure being in excellent geotechnical condition and solely used by owner, NDHE/Deusa, to backfill waste.
The company said it was very grateful for the ongoing support of NDHE/Deusa and its experienced mining staff for the Ohmgebirge development.
Cooperation of neighbour
This cooperation provides South Harz with the potential to obtain additional bulk samples from Bernterode for further bench and pilot process testing, which will be evaluated once the test work results are confirmed on an as needs basis.
"My gratitude is extended to our neighbours, NDHE/Deusa, for allowing us to access the continuation of our Ohmgebirge deposit at depth from their facility,” da Silva said.
“Their support for our Ohmgebirge development has been consistent and strong.”
About South Harz
South Harz Potash is a potash exploration and development company with its flagship project in the South Harz Potash District region of Germany, midway between Frankfurt and Berlin.
The South Harz Project hosts a globally large-scale potash JORC (2012) mineral resource estimate of 5 billion tonnes at 10.6% K2O of inferred resources and 258 million tonnes at 13.5% K2O of indicated resources across four wholly-owned project areas.
